Development and optimization of metoclopramide containing polymeric patches: impact of permeation enhancers

Abstract The study is aimed to develop a monolithic controlled matrix transdermal patches containing Metoclopramide as a model drug by solvent casting method. Eudragit L100, Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30, and Methylcellulose were used in different ratios and Polyethylene glycol 400 added as a plasticizer. Resulting patches were evaluated for their physicochemical characters like organoleptic characters, weight variation, folding endurance, thickness, swelling index, flatness, drug content, swelling index, percentage erosion, moisture content, water vapor transmission rate and moisture uptake. Formed patches were also evaluated through Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results of SEM unveiled smooth surface of drug-loaded patches. In-vitro dissolution studies were conducted by using dissolution medium phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4. Effect of natural permeation enhancers was elucidated on two optimized formulations (Z4 and Z9). Different concentrations (5%-10 %) of permeation enhancers i.e. Olive oil, Castor oil and Eucalyptus oil were evaluated on Franz diffusion cell using excised abdominal rat skin. Z4-O2 (Olive oil 10%) had enhanced sustain effect and flux value (310.72) close to the desired flux value. Z4-O2 followed Higuchi release model (R2= 0.9833) with non-fickian diffusion release mechanism (n=0.612)

Metacognitive Awareness and Academic Achievement of Medical Students in Different Medical Colleges of Lahore, Pakistan

Introduction: To determine medical students' metacognitiveawareness and its impact on their academic performance.Study design: Cross-sectional analytic study. Place andDuration of Study: Two different private medical College’sfrom Lahore. From March 2016 to September 2016.Material and Methods: Study was done among second yearstudents of two private medical colleges in Lahore. Students’first year academic achievement information was collectedand they also filled the semi- structured questionnaire onmetacognition regulation by the metacognitive awarenessof reading strategies inventory (MARSI) based on threedimensions of metacognition (GLOB, SUB and PROB).Simple random sampling, a type of probability samplingwas used for this study. The data were entered in SPSS 20,Metacognitive score was taken as an independent variablewhile academic performance (first professional part 1 results)was the dependent variable. For descriptive data, mean andstandard deviation were used. For categorical data, percentageand frequencies were used. Pearson correlation coefficientswere calculated to examine the item-total score correlationResult: A total 232 students participated. The reliabilitycoefficient of MARSI was 0.88 and there was strongcorrelation among all dimensions of Metacognition score andacademic achievement with Correlation coefficient value was0.257 (p<0.01). Medical students of different colleges havealmost equal (college 1 std. deviation 109±15.3, college 2 std.deviation 110.6±17.3) Metacognition levels.Conclusion: All dimensions of metacognition are positive andstrongly correlated with each other’s. Higher the score in onedimension will cause positive change in other dimension scoreand vice versa. Overall it would be beneficial for the trainersand other mentors that to work on one dimension and it wouldalso cause positive impact on other skills and strategies.

Evaluation of serum triglyceride and cholesterol in subclinical Hypothyroidism

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of subclinical hypothyroidism on lipid profile with special reference to total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Analytic study. This study was carried out at the Punjab Institute of Nuclear Medicine [PINUM], Faisalabad and IMBB, university of Lahore from January 2011 to September 2011. [Eight months] 100 female patients of age ranges from 20-50 years having subclinical hypothyroidism [SCH] and 20 euthyroidsubject of same age and sex [control] were included in this study. Serum FT[4], FT[3], TSH, total cholesterol and triglyceride of subclinical hypothyroid patients and control group were determined. In subclinical hypothyroid patients total cholesterol were significantly increased as compared to euthyroid group. Serum TSH and total cholesterol showed positive correlation. Serum triglyceride did not significantly increased in SCH. The total cholesterol level elevated in SCH. This increases the risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease [CAD] in subclinical hypothyroid patients

Formulation and in-vitro bioequivalence evaluation of verapamil hydrochloride matrix tablets with Calan SR.

The purpose of the current work was to formulate Verapamil Hydrochloride (VH) sustained release matrix tablets by using natural polymers and comparison with leading national brand Calan SR of Searle Pharmaceuticals. Tragacanth and pectin were used in various concentrations. Pre compression studies i.e. angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s compressibility index and Hausner’s ratio were also performed and found within the Pharmacopoeial limits. Eight formulations (F1-F8) of (VH) were prepared by direct compression method. Post compression studies i.e. Thickness, Hardness, Diameter, Friability and Dissolution studies were conducted. Different kinetic models i.e. zero order, first order, Highuchi model and Korsmeyer Peppas were applied to study release patterns and similarity index was calculated. Dissolution studies were carried out in phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 showed that formulations (F4 and F8) formulated with higher polymers concentration showed comparatively better drug retardation. F5 was the most comparable with the reference product. Verapamil hydrochloride released was observed non-fickian as diffusion following Higuchi model.

Formulation and in-vitro bioequivalence evaluation of verapamil hydrochloride matrix tablets with Calan R.

The purpose of the current work was to formulate Verapamil Hydrochloride (VH) sustained release matrix tablets by using natural polymers and comparison with leading national brand Calan SR of Searle Pharmaceuticals. Tragacanth and pectin were used in various concentrations. Pre compression studies i.e. angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s compressibility index and Hausner’s ratio were also performed and found within the Pharmacopoeial limits. Eight formulations (F1-F8) of (VH) were prepared by direct compression method. Post compression studies i.e. Thickness, Hardness, Diameter, Friability and Dissolution studies were conducted. Different kinetic models i.e. zero order, first order, Highuchi model and Korsmeyer Peppas were applied to study release patterns and similarity index was calculated. Dissolution studies were carried out in phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 showed that formulations (F4 and F8) formulated with higher polymers concentration showed comparatively better drug retardation. F5 was the most comparable with the reference product. Verapamil hydrochloride released was observed non-fickian as diffusion following Higuchi model.

Serum ferritin level in thalassemic patients of 10-15 years and its relationship with thyroid function tests

To determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism and to evaluate any possible correlation between serum ferritin level and thyroid function tests in transfusion dependent beta-thalassemic patients. An observational and correlation study. This study was conducted at DHQ hospital, Hilal-e-Ahmar hospital and Ali Zaib Foundation hospital Faisalabad from 15[th] of May 2011 to 15[th] of Jan 2012. A total number of 90 thalassemia major patients, of 10-15 years of age, were included in this study. Serum levels of thyroxine, tri-iodothyronine, thyroid stimulating hormone were determined and correlated with serum ferritin level. Five milliliters of blood was drawn from each subject and thyroid profile [T[3], T[4] and TSH] and serum ferritin were determined. Pearson correlation coefficient test was applied to determine any correlation between serum ferritin level and other parameters. There was a weak negative correlation of Serum Ferritin with both Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine, but both correlations were statistically insignificant [p-value= 0.294 and 0.189 respectively]. Serum Ferritin had a weak positive, but insignificant correlation with TSH. Hypothyroidism was detected in 15 patients [16.67%]. Out of these 8 [8.89%] were having subclinical hypothyroidism, 5 [5.56%] mild hypothyroidism, 1 [1.11%] overt hypothyroidism and 1[1.11%] patient having secondary hypothyroidism. High prevalence of hypothyroidism warrants regular screening of thyroid functions in thalassemic patients irrespective of their serum ferritin levels